Fallskärmsjägarna

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Fallskärmsjägarna (FJS)
Insignia
Active 1952 - Present
Country Sweden
Branch Swedish Armed Forces
Type Special Operations
Role Long range reconnaissance, sabotage and tactical diversion
Size Classified
Part of Under the direct command of the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ Karlsborg, Västergötland
Commanders
Current
commander		 Classified

Fallskärmsjägarna, also known as Fallskärmsjägarkåren in Swedish (the Parachute Ranger Corps) is located in K3 Karlsborg at Fallskärmsjägarskolan (Parachute Ranger School, commonly known as FJS) and is a Swedish military Special Operations unit.

Contents

[edit] History

Fallskärmsjägarskolan (FJS) was created in 1952 by Captain Nils-Ivar Carlborg and modelled after the British post-World War II airborne commando forces such as the Parachute Regiment and the Special Air Service (SAS), with the objective to create a highly mobile force which had the flexibility to operate behind enemy lines and carry out long range reconnaissance missions to passively gather military intelligence[1].

[edit] Organization

FJS is organized under Livregementets husarer at K3 but falls directly under the command of the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces (Överbefälhavaren). K3 is also the home of the Air-mobile Battalion (LBB - luftburen bataljon, airmobile infantry similar to the US 101 Air Assault Division) and the Special Protection Group (Särskilda Skyddsgruppen - a.k.a. SSG) and Särskilda Inhämtningsgruppen (Special Reconnaissance Group a.k.a SIG) but there is no official coordination of training or operations between these units. Recent reorganizations within the armed forces have given the unit a more international profile although details of foreign engagements remain classified. Members of FJS are conscripts.

About the year 2001, the armed forces organized a new special forces unit, called FJS IK, or Fallskärmsjägarskolans Insatskompani, which consisted of contracted former FJS conscripts for international deployment. In 2002, FJS IK were deployed to Afghanistan, and in 2003, FJS IK were deployed alongside SSG in Congo during Operation Artemis. In 2006 FJS IK was renamed - Särskilda Inhämtningsgruppen (Special Reconnaissance Group), a.k.a SIG, which, along with SSG makes up for Sweden's special forces. Their operation and structure is classified and recruits primarily commissioned officers from units across the armed forces. Public information on SIG is extremely limited although according to the information on the Swedish Army website, it is claimed that they master every aspect of intelligence gathering[2].

[edit] Operations and training

FJS's operational field of expertise is in intelligence gathering deep inside enemy controlled territory and have secondary duties in sabotage and tactical diversion[3]. The unit has special training in Arctic warfare and can sustain operations for extended periods (in excess of one month) deep inside enemy territory without resupply or support from other parts of the armed forces. Main mode of deployment is by parachute but the unit can also be deployed via helicopter and boats. The 6 men teams operate in small autonomous groups trained for long term independence and autonomy. Each group consists of a group leader and a deputy group leader, a sniper, demolitions expert, medic and communications expert. If required for the mission, an interpreter may be assigned to the unit to handle local civilian interaction or interrogations.

The unit is made up of conscripts who have all volunteered for the special service, commissioned officers and reserve officers who in most cases are former FJS conscripts. The complete training program is for 12 months (previously 15) and is a very condensed and demanding program. It is considered to be one of the most physically and mentally demanding training programs within the Swedish Armed Forces. Selection to the unit is one of the toughest in the Swedish army, including a two-day pre-selection and three induction weeks in addition to the regular armed forces recruiting process[4]. The unit also recruits commissioned officers from other military units which have to undergo a rigorous selection program and training, culminating in the “Eagle March”. The Eagle March is preceded by a number of group tasks after which the units are deployed via parachute and set out to complete a 60-70 km march with a 30kg combat pack in rough terrain followed by a ~10 km individual navigation test-course carrying combat gear and weapons. The march and navigation test must be completed within 24 hours and without being captured in order "graduate" as a Fallskärmsjägare. Note that "The Eagle March" must be successfully completed by all military personnel serving at FJS once a year. Commissioned officers wishing to serve at FJS must pass a special program known under the code-name "0231" ending with the march to be eligible for the service. Successful candidates who complete the march within the prescribed time frame is awarded the "Golden Eagle". Officers from other units who successfully complete the program may receive a position in the unit. The Golden Eagle is not the unit's insignia but an official training badge (utbildningstecken) awarded to those who complete the FJS training program. Selected conscript soldiers from the unit have the option after having completed the whole training program to complete a reserve officer program and become officers in the reserve placed with the unit. A candidate can at any time during the training program (and in particular during the induction weeks) be separated from the unit and sent home or transferred to other units in case standards are not met. Injuries are common and injured candidates are frequently given the opportunity to come back the following year if desired.

[edit] International Involvement

FJS have been involved in low intensity conflicts under UN flag notably Kosovo and Bosnia where they served as the intelligence platoon to KFOR primarily working with personal based intelligence gathering (“HUMINT”)[5] and also in Afghanistan as support for the International Security Assistance Force as well as in Congo[6]. It is believed that this force from FJS became the foundation for the newly formed Särskilda Inhämtningsgruppen (Special Reconnaissance Group).

[edit] Insignia

The golden eagle badge - M/51-60
The golden eagle badge - M/51-60

The unit’s insignia (förbandstecken) is a parachute circumscribed by laurel leaves. This is worn in the maroon beret, which is awarded after the first parachute jump. The maroon beret is common head wear for parachutists in the western world's armed forces. The individual sign of having passed the unit’s training program which culminates in the “Eagle March” is the Golden Eagle in metal which is worn on the left hand beast pocket – on the field uniform a textile version is worn on the upper part of the right hand sleeve. The eagle is considered the “real” mark of a Fallskärmjägare as it is only given to those who completed the training program whereas the beret with the insignia is worn after having completed the first parachute jump. The eagle can be worn on uniforms in any unit as it is an award for completed training whereas the insignia shows the affiliation to a particular army unit.

[edit] Motto

“Vilja, mod och uthållighet” – Will, Courage and Endurance

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ (Swedish)Extract of the history of FJS from the jubilee book by Nils Ivar Carlborg
  2. ^ (Swedish)Särskilda Inhämtningsgruppen & Särskilda Skyddsgruppen from Swedish Army website
  3. ^ (Swedish)Swedish Army's description of training program and exam
  4. ^ (Swedish)Paratrooper recruiting and selection process
  5. ^ "Special Forces in International Operations - Challenge for the Future", Magnus Norell & Karin Ströberg, 2001
  6. ^ (Swedish)Interview with Brig Gen. Berndt Grundevik - Head of Livregementets husarer